Chapter 263: "The Twin Stars of the Times" Will Never Fall

Hmm~

On the stage, melodious songs are echoing, and under the stage, there are audiences listening quietly.

This was one of the bases of the "Fire Moth." On a simply constructed stage, Eden was singing, bringing pleasant songs to the people present. Her soft voice soothed the anxiety in everyone's hearts, allowing them to temporarily forget the terrible situation at the moment so that the irritable and nervous thoughts would not directly crush everyone's spirit.

After all, with the current frequency of "Kaiji" attacks and the duration of each attack, the garrison soldiers need to stay tense for a long time, and maintaining this state will undoubtedly easily lead to a mental breakdown. Thus, regular psychological adjustment and relaxation are very necessary.

Eden is very suitable for doing such things, and she is also willing to provide strength to the "Fire Moth" to the best of her ability.

Originally, Eden wanted to go directly to the front line to comfort the soldiers, but this request was sternly rejected by "Fire Moth." The front line located on the coastline was too dangerous, and the attacks of "Kaiji" were irregular. It would be bad if Eden was attacked after going there.

Eden also understood the concerns of "Fire Moth," so she did not act capriciously. She just increased the number of performances within "Fire Moth," trying to use her singing to bring some strength to the soldiers and allow them to get some spiritual healing and relaxation during this short rest time.

However... with the threat of "Kaiji" hanging overhead and dark rain clouds hovering over the seashore, there was less and less that Eden could do.

She could sense that, under the influence of the "Fire Moth," or the entire social atmosphere, people were gradually beginning to give up unnecessary entertainment and instead focus more on fighting the "Kaiji"... This was understandable and could even be said to be natural.

But, because of this, Eden was a little worried.

Because now the whole society is filled with a kind of resentment, a kind of hostility, and hatred towards "Kaiji," the entire human civilization has begun to transform into a huge war machine... and this process seems to be unstoppable.

On the outside, there are the "Kaiji," a special group of alienated Honkai beasts; on the inside, there are people who are pushing for this change... Perhaps some people do this for their own interests, but because of external factors, these people have to push for this change.

Everything is for the survival of mankind and the continuation of civilization... This is a war for "survival."

It is for this reason that resentment continues to spread and accumulate in society, slowly changing the entire civilization...

Eden always felt that under the influence of this factor, people would one day push themselves into the abyss... but she couldn't stop this process.

She also tried hard to use her singing to bring some comfort and beauty to everyone, just like she had done before, standing on the stage, like the brightest star, standing at the center of the stage, lighting up the light in the eyes and hearts of others with moving songs.

But... now she seems unable to do it.

Every one of her performances is still packed; people still admire her and love her songs, countless companies still send her cooperation requests, dignitaries still invite her to perform, and the price is still high...

Everything is obviously the same as before, yet everything seems different.

Just like... now.

Hmm~

The last song ended, even the encore music stopped, and even the last note faded away. The people in the audience applauded and shouted cheers from the bottom of their hearts. Until the curtain fell completely, everyone left in an orderly and fast manner, quietly and quickly, without any unnecessary sound.

Obviously, according to the situation in the past, people still couldn't help discussing her songs as they left, their words were full of praise and attachment to her singing, and their eyes were shining with anticipation and aftertaste... But now, there is only silence in people's eyes.

This is true not only for the soldiers of the Fire Moth but also for ordinary people.

Eden knew, that in the face of a threat that could destroy civilization, there was very little she could do, and the wounds that her music could heal... were very little.

On the Mu Continent covered with rain clouds, on the continent that has become difficult for humans to set foot on, what should have been the most dazzling scientific research center and industrial center for mankind is now occupied by a monster called "Kaiji"... Such a huge and clear scar is difficult for her to heal.

Eden clearly felt that she, the "star" on the stage, could no longer dispel the haze of "resentment" in people's eyes...

This is understandable. At this moment when the threat of "Kaiji" is hanging over their heads, and after experiencing such a painful price of losing Mu Continent, it is natural for people to have such emotions... Eden also understands.

But... she still feels a little lost.

There are fewer and fewer things she can do, and in the future, there will be fewer and fewer.

The support she can give to others will also become less and less.

The pride she once had was also gradually fading away...

Just like the entertainment industry and even the art world, their glory is gradually fading.

The whole society, supported and pushed by each other, is rushing towards an indescribable abyss...

"sigh..."

After finishing the performance, Eden returned to the lounge and sighed subconsciously.

She believed that she was not the first person to see the current situation. Even though all this was just a sign, Eden believed that there must be more people who were smarter and more far-sighted than her who saw this problem.

But... no one came out to stop it, or even put a rein on this momentum. Instead, they began to promote this emotion and atmosphere.

"What's wrong, Eden?"

Sakura, who often traveled with Eden, came over and asked.

"Are you worried about something? Tell us so we can share it together."

"Ha... I never thought you would use these words to comfort me, Sakura."

"You're going a bit too far... I was just borrowing something you said to me before."

Sakura said this half-jokingly, putting down the cup and drink she was carrying, and poured the lower-proof drink for Eden and herself in turn... Drinking during the break after the performance has always been Eden's habit. Sakura has long been familiar with it and would occasionally drink with her.

"…I'm just a little worried about the future."

She took a sip of the wine in the glass, and the light fruity aroma filled her mouth. After enjoying it carefully, Eden nestled into the sofa, squinted her eyes, shook the wine glass, and spoke softly.

"I can feel that people are heading towards a very bad situation, but I can't stop anything... because this is everyone's choice and the result of the reality."

"Under external pressure, it is natural for everyone to make this choice. The tragic situation in the Mu Continent is still vivid in everyone's mind. It is a scar engraved in everyone's memory... It even remains there, eye-catching and glaring."

"Our resources and research results were left behind there. In that place occupied by monsters, the things we were once proud of were taken by them, and even our companions were besieged by them..."

"All of this, for everyone to react in this way and have such emotions, is normal and understandable, but... I still feel a little uneasy."

"I am worried that in the future, Mu Continent... will become an abyss, an abyss that can never be filled."

"Just like the anglerfish in the deep sea, those trapped people, those lost achievements and materials are all baits... We will be attracted by them and even have to bite the bait, but in the end... it is hard to say what our ending will be."

Eden took another sip of the wine in the glass and spoke in a trance.

"Honestly, this is just my wishful thinking. I hope I am just overthinking it... But this feeling has been lingering in my heart for a long time."

"I see…"

Sakura was silent for a moment before she slowly responded.

"I won't think as much as you do. With my knowledge, I can't think that far ahead... But I think that as long as Mu Continent is still there and as long as the people on it are still alive, we shouldn't give up on them."

"They are also victims, and their families are waiting for them to return home, so I don't think there is anything wrong with these things."

"Saving lives, saving lives or something like that...it's always a good thing."

"…Yeah, that's right."

Eden nodded slightly, agreeing with what Sakura said.

But she also understood that it was precisely because everyone now held this idea that they continued to work hard to rescue people from Mu Continent... In other words, this was a "bait" that people had to bite.

Whether it is the technology left behind by the "Fire Moths", the researchers who failed to evacuate, or the people trapped in the shelters, these are things that people nowadays cannot give up, and cannot give up. Even though they know that Mu Continent is full of dangers at this moment, people have to take the risk to bring them back.

But what will be the final result...it's too hard to say.

...Forget it. This is not something she should think about. She is just a singer. There will always be people who are more sober, smarter, and more far-sighted than her who will point out this problem and prepare for it. She should not worry too much about things that are beyond her ability to handle.

"Hmm…ha~"

Eden drank the remaining wine in the glass, put it down while feeling slightly tipsy, and slowly stood up.

"You're not drinking anymore?"

Sakura asked in surprise; usually, Eden would drink at least half a bottle of wine, but today he only had one glass...this was very rare.

"Not today~ Drinking should be done in moderation, right?"

Eden said this in a relaxed tone, and together with Sakura, he cleaned the wine glass and put the wine and the glass back in their original places. Then, they walked side by side towards the room reserved for the two of them to rest.

"Sakura, how is your sister?"

Eden asked casually on the way.

"Well, Rin is very good. I recently took her to meet Griseo and Pardofelis... They had a lot of fun."

"It seems like she made new friends again... That's great. I'll go visit them when I have the chance."

"If Rin knew, she would definitely be very happy. She likes you very much."

"Haha, what's wrong? Don't you see me enough? Obviously, she can see me as long as she follow you."

"She's still in school, so it's not appropriate for her to run around with me... It's always good for her to learn more knowledge."

"Yeah... that's right."

"..."

"Sakura, have you read the report given by the Fire Moth?"

After a brief silence, Eden suddenly asked.

"...Um."

"You saw him, didn't you?"

"Um."

"Do you think... it's him? Or is it just Kaiji who is wearing his appearance?"

"...I have no idea."

Although Sakura wasn't quite sure why Eden asked this, she still answered truthfully.

Sakura was indeed happy to see him again, but she was also sad... After all, based on his current posture and appearance, as well as everyone's speculation, he... was most likely not the same person he used to be.

"Eden, why do you ask?"

Sakura asked as a matter of course.

"…I'm just a little confused."

Eden was silent for a moment, then spoke.

"Do you remember the 'song' from before? It was the only sound you could hear in that 'great silence'?"

"Yes, I remember."

"You know, it's always been my habit to feel emotions from other people's songs... Because of this, I can feel something else from the song, something... that belongs to him, his melody."

"And after that... whenever I sang, I could always hear some extra melody..."

"...What?"

Sakura paused.

"Eden, I think you'd better go see Dr. Mei or Miss Klein for a checkup."

"…I originally wanted to do this, and this is the main reason why I came back to perform this time."

Eden also stopped and spoke softly.

"More importantly... I want to try to find something that can help everyone a little bit... in the only thing I am good at and the only thing I am proud of."

"So... Sakura, could you please keep an eye on me for a moment?"

Eden looked at Sakura with determination in her eyes.

"If I show any abnormality, please subdue me."

"…Can't we wait until Dr. Mei and the others come over before trying again?"

"No... I have one more thing I want to confirm. If Dr. Mei and the others come over, I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to get an answer."

Eden rarely refused this safer method and just took Sakura to the balcony of the room. Then she let go of her hand and let Sakura stay indoors. She stood on the open-air balcony and felt the warmth of the sunset before turning around and looking at her friend again.

"Sakura, please."

"Eden, you don't have to do this... there should be a safer way..."

"Everything has its own merits, Sakura. Many things require a price to be paid... just like the answer I'm looking for now."

Eden shook her head again and gently rejected Sakura's dissuasion. She slightly adjusted her breathing, and while still a little tipsy, she slowly closed her eyes and sang softly.

Hmm~

"..."

Under the soft tune, Sakura focused her attention on Eden, while slightly tensing her body, ready to deal with any possible abnormalities.

And in Eden's perception, after her singing sounded, there seemed to be a soft melody floating from afar, as if someone was accompanying her as if someone was harmonizing with her... It was a very familiar and close voice, which made Eden always laugh, and she became more and more immersed in this song.

Slowly, slowly, just like floating in the wind and flowing in the water, her thoughts are like her own singing, following the familiar melody, gradually drifting away into the distance.

Finally... Eden seemed to hear his voice, that familiar and nostalgic voice.

"Eden..."

She seemed to sense something, and with a slightly happy but expected smile, he whispered her name softly.

Tick-tock

Along with it came the sound of raindrops falling.

"Eden!"

However, the sudden shout and the feeling of her body being pulled brought Eden back to her senses.

What came into view was Sakura, who looked a little nervous, and what came to her ears was the sound of misty drizzle falling.

"Eden, what did you just... do?"

Sakura looked outside the house. Under the setting sun and in the clear sky, drizzle suddenly fell. Sakura felt a little confused.

You know, rainy days are dangerous now, even drizzle is the same, and after the Mu Continent incident, it was confirmed that the "Herrscher" could bring rain... In this case, Eden's singing could actually bring drizzle, even if it was just a hazy drizzle, it was still particularly terrifying.

"…Sakura, I think I know what to do."

Eden blinked and said with some joy.

"Let's go find Dr. Mei together. I believe this will definitely help her."

…

...

"You found it so early... As expected, it's Eden~"

On the other side, Nozomi's singing also stopped quietly. At the same time, he raised his head slightly and looked into the distance in the drizzle.

"Come to think of it, after all..."

Nozomi smiled and muttered to himself.

————

[Double Stars of the Times (Color)]

[Effect: Both parties can trigger the "Song of the Century" to a certain extent]

————

"We've always been together~"

"The Twin Stars of the Times will never fall."

"Hmm... Looks like we can bring Eden back later~"

"There are so many things going on. It's really annoying..."

"But it's okay, just take it one by one~"